Barkus hits 200 wins, cementing legacy
Augustana women’s soccer head coach Brandon Barkus achieved a huge career milestone on Sept. 7, earning his 200th victory with the Vikings in a 3-1 win against Central Oklahoma.
The achievement, accomplished in his 19th season at the helm of the program, cements Barkus’ legacy as the winningest coach in program history. But for Barkus, the victory was less about the personal record and more about the collective journey.
“It means a lot. I’m excited for the program. I’m excited that the university has kept me around for so long,” Barkus said. “I think it says a lot about all the athletes that I’ve recruited and [who] have been in the program and how they’ve persevered, stepped up and helped to achieve this milestone.”
The historic win came in an exciting match. Augustana opened with senior midfielder Ally Hamski converting a penalty kick in the fourth minute. Central Oklahoma’s response came in the first half when Jordan Tanges evened the score at the 43rd minute.
However, the Vikings quickly recovered the lead after halftime when junior forward Madelyn White scored in the 49th minute, assisted by senior midfielder Zoey Mandery. Hamski then scored her second goal, another penalty kick, in the final minutes to put the Vikings up by two and secure the 3-1 victory.
Senior goalkeeper Taya Baker was also crucial, making key saves to maintain the Vikings’ important lead.
“It was just a really big team game,” Baker said. “I think it can be really easy to lose your momentum when you’re scored on late in a half like that, but we came right back and were able to get the win together against a really good team.”
The victory was acknowledged by Barkus’ players as a group achievement rooted in the program’s culture.
“Coach Barkus’ 200th win is truly a testament to the culture of hard work, commitment and family our program is built on,” senior defender Avery Nelson wrote in an email. “This milestone reflects years of dedication that Barkus has invested in the program, making it not only a win for him but a win for the team as well.”
Barkus said that when he took over as the program’s coach in 2006, he never anticipated staying in the position for this long. He initially signed a three-year contract, noting that he “didn’t really think much beyond that.”
However, Barkus said that he remained a part of the program because Augustana proved to be a positive environment and a great place to raise a family, alongside the opportunities to recruit student athletes and support program development.
His longevity as a coach is deeply tied to the growth of the team. Under Barkus’ leadership, the Vikings have appeared in six NCAA Tournaments and won the program’s first-ever NSIC Tournament Championship in 2015.
With two NSIC runner-up finishes, his teams have helped establish Augustana soccer as a regular postseason presence.
Barkus attributes this success to a structured approach to program development and a disciplined recruiting philosophy. He emphasizes looking for players with personality, intelligence, leadership qualities and high work ethic, as well as prioritizing athletic potential like good technique and skill.
As the coach and team look ahead after this milestone, Barkus’ ultimate goal remains: developing the person alongside the player.
“I want all the athletes to have a positive experience,” Barkus said. “I want them to grow as young people and adults and to have the experience of being a student-athlete, where they develop, you know — what teamwork means, and hard work, mental toughness, dedication.”
He concluded that while the overall priority at university is education, he hopes that he can help his student athletes prepare for life by fostering other skills too.
The 200th win is more than a personal milestone. It is a testament to the strength of the Augustana women’s soccer program, ready to carry forward its legacy of excellence on and off the field. With Barkus as their head coach, the team isn’t just focused on scoring goals: it’s building a lasting culture of dedication and greatness.
